Islamic University of Maldives Aims to Scale International Research Conference

The Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) is seeking to expand the global footprint of its International Conference on Intellectual Advancement (ICIA), aiming to transform the event into a premier hub for worldwide academic exchange. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the ICIA Conference 2026, Assistant Professor Dr. Mariyam Shareefa emphasized the university's commitment to growing the event's reach and quality annually. She noted that the conference serves as a vital platform for international scholars, researchers, students, and policymakers to share knowledge and discuss emerging trends across various disciplines. According to Dr. Shareefa, the university's strategic focus is to enhance the depth of the discourse and ensure the conference becomes an increasingly richer source of academic knowledge. She highlighted that consistent efforts in previous years have already resulted in growing public recognition for the event, providing a strong foundation for future international expansion. Organized annually by IUM’s Centre for Research and Publication, the 2026 edition took place from August 30 to 31. The event featured a diverse array of research papers covering multiple academic fields, showcasing the intellectual contributions of both local and international participants. The conference concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing excellence in scholarship. Honors were presented in several categories, including the best research paper in the full paper category, the outstanding presentation award, and the prestigious IUM Dean’s Research Advocacy Award, celebrating the impactful work of the contributing academics.